Sunday, March 6, 2016

CD Review: Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real Give "Something Real" To Their New Album

California band, Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real have had a very busy year. They were the backing band for Neil Young's last tour and performed on his album "The Monsanto Years." During that time, they also recorded an album of their own, "Something Real," which will be released on March 11th through the Royal Potato Family label. It is the band's third album and documents their time on the road as they captured their current glory as "cowboy hippie surf rock."

The new nine-song release begins with "Surprise" as many of the songs on this album were taken from jam sessions the band had performed in the studio. You can hear the influence of Neil Young on this seventies-style rocker with it poetic lyrics and big guitar solos. They pick the tempo up with the big riff-driven groove of "Something Real" as the band showcase their youth. The band mix in a lighter country-rock jam for the seven-minute "Ugly Color," before their electric guitars make their return as the driving force behind the raw delivery of "I'll Make To You Anytime." The album closes with a guest appearance by Neil Young on their cover of the sixties anthem "San Francisco (Be Sure To Wear Some Flowers In Your Hair)."

Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real are performing at the Byron Bay Bluesfest at the end of March and the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival in May. For a complete list of tour dates and to find out more about their new album "Something Else," please visit promiseofthereal.com.